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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

your top tips - 5 days overdue

11 replies

muminheels · 11/01/2011 21:02

Hello ladies
I am 5 days overdue with our first baby. Excited but also v nervous about labour. Any pearls of wisdom from those who have been there and come out the other side? Thanks! x

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
hastingsmum · 11/01/2011 23:54

No wisdom, both my children were 1 week late and the baby will come out when ready.

Labour varies so much from person to person, but something I heard which makes so much sense. Labour is such a short experience and then you get the rest of babies childhood to enjoy.

WilheminaAteHer · 12/01/2011 00:06

This worked for me brilliantly with baby 2: tell yourself that your due date is just a guide, and you're not actually overdue. The baby will come when ready.

Also, refuse to tell anyone your actual guideline due date, or how many days past it you've gone. Just say you're due in mid January, and leave it at that. If you give people dates they start making comments about how late you are, etc, which will leave you feeling pressurised and uneasy about something which is very normal and actually good for your baby.

Both of mine came at 13 days past the guide date, and that was with a gentle bit of encouragement - ie a sweep with one and castor oil with the other.

Finally, if you want to check whether your cervix is 'ripe', ie ready for the baby to come at any time, you should wash your hands thoroughly then stick a finger in your vagina and feel it. If the cervix is low and mushy, it's ripe. It should feel more like a chin than a nose.

Is any of this useful?

Wrt labour, it's a bit late to start listening to a hypno cd now but if you practice relaxing and breathing slowly, counting down from 3 to relax, this is a good habit to help you manage labour pains. Relaxing is ESSENTIAL. Tell yourself as many positive things about labour as you can, read up on positive labour stories, and AVOID One Born Every Minute like the plague - it will kill your confidence as you prepare to give birth. Your body is amazing and is about to do something extraordinary. What a huge privilege.

Good luck, and congrats in advance! Grin

daisystone · 12/01/2011 21:23

I was 12 days overdue and went in to be induced in the end, but then ended up going into labour in hospital overnight before they could induce me!

Try and be patient. I was so fed up with being overdue, but these are your last few hours without your baby and then life will never be the same again so relish your independence while you can!

You have no idea what your labour will be like until it starts, but try and keep calm. Concentrate on what you are being asked and told to do and listen to your body.

Also BREATHE! Slowly and deeply in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth. Really concentrate on this when you are having a contraction - it really does help you deal with the pain and get through it.

Keep in mind that everyone is there to help you and they have helped with hundreds of birth and know what they are doing so try to isten to them and trust them.

Good luck! When they lay your baby on your chest when it is over it is the most overwhelming experience and life truly will never be the same again! Smile

TheBreastmilksOnMe · 12/01/2011 22:04

Let nature take its course and don't try and induce labour naturally or otherwise before your body is ready. Just think that this time next month you will have met your baby, guaranteed.

muminheels · 13/01/2011 17:41

thanks so much for the advice ladies, I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
thereisalightanditnevergoesout · 13/01/2011 18:27

Tweek your nipples. I've just had my 4th and tried this for the first time (was 2 days over) and I went into labour that very night! Of course, maybe it was going to happen anyway...

Be prepared to get RSI in your thumbs though! Grin

MaElsie · 14/01/2011 16:25

go for a very very long walk. After a 6 mile walk I went into labour the next day. Literally couldn't walk another step at the end of the walk though!

stump · 14/01/2011 16:45

refelxology worked for me )although could have been going to happen anyway!!! I was 11 days over and had tried lots of other things. As others have said Breathing is they key long and slow breaths through each contraction and you will be fine!! This saved me in both my labours!

Sossiges · 14/01/2011 21:09

I was 9 days overdue & my midwife kept hassling me to have an induction. PITA! Luckily db decided to get a move on, probably due to my repeated requests Wink. Rest & sleep, because you won't get much afterwards. I found visualising something/somewhere really nice helped a lot with the contractions, as well as the slow breathing. Like (contraction coming) a big cream cake, soft sponge, jammy jam, lovely white icing, delicious cherry on the top, yum, cut a big slice, you're just about to take a bite (damn, contraction's finished)...

WilheminaAteHer · 19/01/2011 20:54

Sossiges - I think you have a new career ahead of you as a birthing instructor! Yum!

Chelle1986 · 20/01/2011 19:56

A couple of spoonfuls of Califig worked for me (was 6 days over). Helps you go for a poo too - so less chance in labour! Hehe.

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